Istanbul is somewhere I'd always see on Holiday programmes and always want to visit. So I jumped at the chance to visit. Even better, I was able to meet Nurlan on his way back to Azerbaijan. Perfect excuse! I had no idea Turkey, was such a wonderful country as a whole. I had a fantastic time, being a genuine independent backpacker, meeting lovely people on route. Despite common belief, it's fine being a lone female traveller in Turkey. You do get a bit of...